LFW - Burberry SS'13

One thing, and one thing alone, went through my mind during the Burberry SS’13 finale at London Fashion Week… Quality Streets.  My addiction to chocolate aside, it was a remarkable sight to see; model after model wearing an array of rainbow-coloured metallic coats marching around the catwalk at Kensington Gardens, whilst the star-studded audience, including Dita von Teese, Victoria Pendleton and… Harry Styles, cheered enthusiastically.  

Inspired by Norman Parkinson photographs from the 1940s and 50s, Christopher Bailey named the collection ‘Corsage and Cape,’ and whilst respecting the strong British style which Burberry traditionally has adhered to, the designer replaced the camel tones we usually associate with the brand with vibrant metallic raspberry, lavender, emerald and sapphire. “The collection was a bit more joyful and quite sassy and a bit sexy,”  Bailey told reporters backstage.

LFW - Philip Treacy SS'13

It has been 13 years since the world famous milliner Philip Treacy last staged a show in London and he certainly made sure he returned with a bang.  Wearing a nude bodysuit, a floor length pink neon veil and a pair of Alexander McQueen silver platform boots, Lady Gaga opened the mesmerising Fashion Week show at the Royal Courts of Justice.  Lady Gaga continued to wow fashionable onlookers by taking to her seat peeping out of a multicoloured floral headpiece (left).  The show featured only black models, including Alex Wek and Jourdan Dunn, dressed in jackets from the archive of Michael Jackson, modelling an array of hats including a miniature Neverland fairground, a working carousel and Minnie Mouse style ears to the sounds of Billie Jean.

I reeeeeally hope we see Princess Bea rocking these hats at Buckingham Palace soon...

LFW - Huishan Zhang SS'13

I was lucky enough to be invited to Huishan Zhang’s SS’13 presentation in the Portico Rooms at Somerset House this London Fashion Week.  This was the Chinese, Central St. Martin educated designer’s highly anticipated debut at Fashion Week and I was holding one hot ticket.  There were three presentations held throughout the morning and each one was as jam packed as the next. 

The collection was a contemporary take on a more traditional Chinese style, taking inspiration from Chinese dresses (silk fabrics with high necks and leg slits), Huishan Zhang has created beautifully feminine, delicately detailed dresses all with an edge of strength and power to them.

Stunning Chinese imagery (including miniature pagodas, mahjong tiles and Swarovski crystal embellished ancient birds) is printed on to beautiful ruffled backless dresses with ethereal, patterned lace detailing on striking midnight blues, pretty blushes, exquisite aquamarine and minty green coloured silks.  The entire collection had a distinctly youthful, modern and exciting feel to it, encouraged by the models’ colourfully painted, shimmering cheekbones and double plaited ponytails. Huishan Zhang is not just a designer, he is an artist and I am really excited to see what he will come up with next.

New York Fashion Week's SS'13 Trends

After eight days of being glued to the shows at New York Fashion Week I have been shown an insight into what next year's fashion holds in store.  Amongst the sporty references, monochrome combinations, oversized silhouettes and powerful prints, there were four main trends which I could see standing out above the rest...

1.  FIFTY SHADES OF GREY

An S&M influence was clear to see on the catwalks, and although this has said to have been inspired by famed fashion photographer Helmut Newton's iconic black and white images, I think it may also be accredited to the bestselling novel, 'Fifty Shades of Grey.'  When even Oscar de la Renta, known for his ultra feminine style, succumbs to using leather and latex, you know next Spring's wardrobe will be all kinds of racy.

Above: Herve Leger By Max Azria

Above: Jason Wu

Above: Oscar de la Renta

2.  CUTAWAY

Following on from the previous trend, even more skin was shown on the SS'13 runways this Fashion Week with several designers slicing and dicing their dissected garments.{cke_protected_1}

Above: Peter Som

Above: Victoria Beckham

3.  FEARLESS SHEERNESS

Once again, MORE skin!  This trend however, is a far more subtle way of showing off your body, with sheer paneling and 'peekaboo' layering.
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Above: J Mendel

Above: Charlotte Ronson

4.  BOLD STRIPES

Horizontal, vertical, monochrome, colourful, barcode, prisoner... you name it, the NYFW SS'13 runways had it!  There were dizzying zigs and zags in every direction! 
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Above: Marc Jacobs

Above: Michael Kors

Above: Oscar de la Renta

NYFW - New Kids On The Fashion Block

Watch out Suri Cruise, there are two other mini fashionistas in New York this week. 

Below:   Harper Beckham made the most adorable addition to mum Victoria’s front row.  Wearing a little white summer dress with a matching bow in her hair, the oh-so-cute 14 month old Baby Beckham was particularly distracting for the audience invited to watch the Victoria, Victoria Beckham (VVB) SS’13 collection during New York Fashion Week. 

Below:  Another little trendy tot to hit New York Fashion Week was designer Alexander Wang’s three year old niece, Aila.  Wearing a custom-made Wang dress, accessorized with teeny tiny Nike trainers and a teeny tiny Chanel bag (probably stuffed with sweeties and crayons) Aila was the most fashionable of mascots at her uncle’s show.  

NYFW - Marchesa SS'13

Keren Craid and Georgina Chapman delivered the Indian Summer I had been praying for with their stunning collection of beaded gowns with sari style layering.  Although the Marchesa designers used a vivid colour palette (fuchsia and garnet featured) it was the shimmering white gowns with their sparkling bodice detailing that had me entranced.

NYFW - Carmen Dell'Orefice: The Oldest Supermodel

The world’s oldest supermodel, 81 year old Carmen Dell'Orefice, elegantly strutted not once, but twice, down the catwalk today during New York Fashion Week to rapturous applause.  The beautiful, silver haired octegenarain looked totally chic as she walked for the designers Norisol Ferrari in a caramel 1940s-inspired gown and then again, barefoot in a technicolour jersey dress, by Finnish label Marimekko.  Carmen, a well established and iconic member of today's New York fashion scene, first began modelling in 1947, at the age of 15, when she was photographed for the front cover of Vogue Magazine (above).

NYFW - Zac Posen SS'13

Oooh Laaa Laaaa! I LOVED  the SS’13 show in New York Fashion Week by Zac Posen:  Super Dresses on Super Models. Naomi Campbell, Coco Rocha, Karolina Kurkova, Alex Wek and Erin O’Connor all took to the catwalk in Zac's unbelievably elegant and timeless gowns. There was a clear ‘Old Hollywood’ influence with the designer having created floor length dresses with mermaid pleats and sweetheart necklines in the most luxurious of coloured silk and delicate chiffon. Totally stunning. Coming to a red carpet near you. 

Simples

Vogue's Fashion Night Out, London 06/09/12

Fashion’s Night Out was initially created by Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America as a way of encouraging fashionistas to hit the shops as the economic downfall kicked in. For real fashion lovers this day has become like Christmas… Well, if the North Pole were Bond Street, stockings were made by Mulberry and Santa was Alexa Chung...

Now on it’s 4th year, this global phenomenon (with events also taking place in Manhattan, Milan, Atlanta, etc) saw London’s biggest luxury stores throw open their doors after hours, inviting us all in to celebrate and shop with a glass of bubbly.  The whole evening felt like a stylish carnival, with live music blaring, show stopping outfits and fashion-friendly food from a Missoni ice-cream van, a Dak’s popcorn stall and a Hotel Chocolat pop up (apparently fashionistas and models will eat junk food – if its designer.)

I began my evening in Covent Garden where I visited the newly launched Ruby Ralph Lauren shop on King Street, the first to open in Europe.  The shop has such a fun and vibrant energy to it that I immediately got into the spirit of the night, having my pictures taken (below) holding their skull and crossbones tote and listening to great music spun by the gorgeous DJ Izzy Lawrence (above) wearing head to toe Rugby Ralph Lauren.

Next stop was the jam packed, unusually pedestrianised, Bond Street to visit Joseph where a dapper, suited and booted Henry Holland (below, in House of Holland) headed up a fashion Bingo competition.  The prizes were incredible and the cocktails were a plenty.

The epicentre of this most stylish of street parties was undeniably at Mulberry, where Vogue’s Alex Shulman and Mulberry’s Emma Hill held the official Fashion’s Night Out soirée. With goody bags, prizes, live music and a healthy dose of celebrites and designers (including Matthew Williamson, Roland Mouret, Laura Bailey and Daisy Lowe) queues to get in the shop were lengthy… to put it mildly!  Below (L-R): Joseph's Alex Eagle and her ah-mah-zing Nicholas Kirkwood shoes, and with my girlfriends Jessica, Emma and Lauren.

The official Vogue's 2012 Fashion's Night Out cotton T’shirt (top, worn by Edie Campbell) designed by London-based designer Jonathan Saunders in collaboration with The Gap, sold out at the Condé Nast Worldwide store in less than an hour.  The limited edition piece is now only available for you to own if you subscribe to Vogue (£19.99 for 10 issues) here.